DANGEROUS DOORS? RUNNING AWAY? GET ME OUT OF HERE?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
Psalm 55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
I ask God just get me out of here? Get me out of here to fly away is a fast escape. I could really rest if I could just get out of here… on dove wings.
THE BIRTH OF FEAR? ANGER? WE AS HUMANS HAVE THE TENDENCY TO CONCEAL AND HIDE FROM THE REALITY OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR CHOICES? WHEN WE HIDE GUILT, WE SELDOM CORRECT OUR ATTITUDES AND SIN. WHY DO PEOPLE HIDE? WHAT DANGEROUS DOORS DO WE LEAVE OPEN? … WE HIDE AND RUN AWAY IN ANGER. INSTEAD OF CORRECTION AND IMPROVEMENT.
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
WHAT ARE THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US? ARE YOU TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEMS? ARE WE GROWING IN ANGER, BITTERNESS AND FRUSTRATION? WHAT ARE OUR ATTITUDES TOWARD LIFE? DO WE WANT TO RUN AWAY FROM IT ALL?
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
CAN WE ACCEPT THE FACTS THAT THE DOORS BEFORE US CAN OPEN OPPORTUNITIES GOOD OR BAD? THERE CAN THRIVE A RUN AWAY SPIRIT… HIDDEN BY UNRESOLVED ANGER, BITTERNESS, HURT --- RUNNING AWAY SEEMS VERY ATTRACTIVE. DO THE GIANTS EVER BREED FEAR? THE EASIEST THING TO DO IS TO RUN AWAY! ANGER GIVES A STRONG DESIRE: TO RUN! RUN FAST. GET AWAY… GET AWAY FROM THE GIANT --- BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL FOLLOW US!
Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
WEARY WAITING? PLEASE HEAR MY HEART: TO RUN AWAY OPENS DANGEROUS DOORS…
Jonah 4:3 Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?
GREEK MYTHOLOGY (DO NOT CONFUSE WITH THE BIBLE) PANDORA’S BOX SPEAKS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR… THE LESSON SPEAKS OF HUMAN WEAKNESSES AND THE TROUBLES WE FACE. RECALL THE STORY OF PANDORA’S BOX: PANDORA WAS TOLD NEVER, NEVER EVER OPEN THIS BOX… CURIOSITY --- A LONG NOSE CAUSES PANDORA TO OPEN THE BOX AND RELEASE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CURSES NOT JUST ON HER BUT EVERYONE ELSE.
Pandora’s box was a wedding present. When she opened the box evil, sickness, pride, selfishness, greed, strife, sweat, toil, and heart aches were released.
THERE REMAINED ONE GIFT IN THE BOTTOM OF HER BOX THAT WAS NOT RELEASED… THAT ONE GIFT WAS HOPE… HOPE REMAINS IN THE HEART OF THOSE THAT ACCEPT IT…
JONAH DEVELOPS THE ATTITUDE I WILL JUST RUN AWAY! JONAH RELEASED BY HIS ATTITUDES AND CHOICES THE LIFESTYLE OF AN ANGRY MINISTER TRYING TO RUN AWAY AND HIDE.
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
The uncorrected attitudes of hiding in a ship will grow ANGER, BITTERNESS and REMEMBERING THE PAST.
Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
The Lord himself tries to get Jonah to see the error of his RUN AWAY ATTITUDES. Jonah’s attitudes give way to EXCESSIVE ANGER.
Jonah 4:4 Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?
THE UNCORRECTED ATTITUDES OF ONE MAN TAINTS HIS DAILY LIFE TO SIT IN THE SHADE AND DO NOTHING!
Jonah 4:8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
JONAH CAN’T SEE WHAT HIS POOR ATTITUDES ARE DOING!
Jonah 4:9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
WHY? WEARY WAITING --- TIRED --- BURN OUT --- RUN AWAY --- HIDE?
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Many years ago I pastored a small mission work in the poor Appalachian mountains in eastern Kentucky. My plans were to give one year of service and then move on to something bigger. Probably 85% of our people drew some kind of a government check and food stamps. We fell in love and stayed there 8 ½ years, 1372 sermons. We tasted some success but the potential was very limited at best. We will always have a deep love for the people there. I have been gone 33 years and I still get called back for weddings and funerals.
In my tenure we had close relationships with many of the local pastors. One pastor became a very close friend. He tasted great success. His church doubled and doubled again. They built a new building. I was envious of his work. After several years of friendship and confiding in one another I was awakened one night. He was deep in my heart. I got up and prayed for him. The next morning I called and asked him to meet me in the cafeteria at the hospital. (Our food was cheap). I had cried much of the morning. I did not understand?
We got our food and sat at a table away from everyone. I told him I was troubled and very concerned for him and I had been praying. I started crying as I sensed HURT and PAIN. I asked are you near BURNOUT? In great anger he hit the table. He said: I AM NOT BURNED OUT! I AM BURNED UP. He said my deacons don’t deacon. They never visit and their office is TITULAR… (to hold a formal position in title and do nothing.) They never attend prayer meetings. They always WHINE and COMPLAIN. The Sunday School teachers miss Sunday after Sunday and they never call to let me know. Several Sundays the kids sat in the class rooms and acted like wild idiots. He did not know. People fuss others get to sing more than they do? My wife does not understand. His words have echoed in my ears over the years. I AM NOT BURNED OUT! I AM BURNED UP!
I tried my best to encourage him and to see God’s blessings over his ministry. I never saw him for several weeks. One day I was driving by the parsonage and I saw a U-Haul truck backed up to the porch. I stopped to visit. He said: HE WAS DONE! I asked him what church was he moving to? HE SAID: I AM DONE! I do not want to ever pastor again. He moved several states away. He refused all calls as the church was asking him to return.
Many years went by… I heard he was driving an 18 wheeler and was very successful. I was in a large city eating at a smorgasbord several hours from my home. I saw a big truck pull into the lot. The name was very familiar to me. I thought is that my minister friend? As he climbed out of the truck I recognized him. I walked to the door and we hugged. It was a warm reunion. He told me he owned 3 big rigs and buying a new one. We recalled some of the past.
BEFORE WE LEFT, I SAID: WHO MADE THE RIGHT DECISION… YOU LEFT THE MINISTRY AND ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL. I HAVE MADE SO MANY SACRIFICES BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCCESS. He started crying. I am divorced after a bitter battle. My kids refuse to talk to me. I have been married twice. I am not married now, I live with a woman not my wife. I have had a drinking/pill problem. I have money but my heart is so disappointed. He told me HE HAD A RUN AWAY SPIRIT. HE NOW SAW THAT EVERY PROBLEM AT CHURCH WAS SOLVABLE with love and PATIENCE. HE REGRETTED LEAVING BUT THE HOLE WAS SO DEEP NOW THERE WAS NO ESCAPE AND NO RETURNING.
We left the restaurant crying. I cried many tears on the way home--- with the ECHO: I AM NOT BURNED OUT --- I AM BURNED UP. Ask JONAH ABOUT ANGRY MINISTRY?
RUN AWAY: PLEASE DON’T GET ANGRY AT ME… AS A MATTER OF FACT SOME ARE ALREADY ANGRY BEFORE THEY HEAR THIS MESSAGE… RUNNING AWAY IS SO ATTRACTIVE…
I married a young couple. In a few months they came and asked to borrow money so they could move to Indiana and get away from all this mess. Indiana was much better than here. There were parental problems? Sibling problems? Church? There were job issues? Seems the only hope is RUN AWAY --- LIFE IS MUCH BETTER IN INDIANA.
Psalm 55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
I TALKED TO THEM: I SAID I WILL GLADLY LOAN YOU MONEY. I DID. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT EXTERNAL… THE ISSUES OF YOUR HEART WILL BE THE HEART OF THE PROBLEMS. Want to guess? They moved to Indiana… in 3 months they called to borrow money to move back. Seems for once I was right. Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! Yes they paid me back.
GARTH BROOKS WAS ASKED HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE MADE IT BIG?
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Everyone in Nashville knows you and your name. YOU HAVE MADE IT… Garth replied: OZ IS OZ… ONLY IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN OZ! ARE WE LOOKING FOR THE EMERALD CITY, THE CAPITAL OF OZ?
OZ IS A FICTIONAL PLACE… The Wizard was a little man… THE ANSWER WAS WITHIN FOR THE LION, THE TIN MAN, THE SCARE CROW AND FOR DOROTHY.
Lord teach me not only to love life but teach me to love those that hurt me.
CONCLUSION: WHY TRY TO HIDE? THEY HID THEMSELVES? DUMB? WHY THINK WE CAN RUN AWAY? WHY NOT CORRECT YOUR ATTITUDES? LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NEUTRAL, NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD… THEY JUST REVEAL YOUR HIDDEN AGENDA.
**NEVER RUN AWAY!
MASTER WHERE SHALL I WORK TODAY?
AND MY LOVE FLOWED WARM AND FREE.
THE LORD POINTED OUT A TINY PLOT OF LAND.
HE SAID: “TEND THAT FOR ME!”
BUT I ANSWERED QUICKLY:
“OH, NO! NOT THERE, NO ONE CAN SEE.
NO MATTER HOW WELL MY TASK IS DONE.
NOT THAT! NOT THAT LITTLE PLACE FOR ME.
AND HIS VOICE, WHEN HE SPOKE WAS NOT STERN.
BUT KIND AND HE ANSWERED ME TENDERLY,
“FRIEND SEARCH THAT HEART OF THINE!
ARE YOU WORKING FOR YOU, THEM OR ME?”
NAZARETH WAS JUST A LITTLE PLACE
AND SO WAS CALVARY… NEVER RUN AWAY!
UNKNOWN
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Catch me: Wade Hughes on YouTube.
IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY HERE, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU WILL BE HAPPY OVER THERE?
